first twist of the coil

[vampirize]

[The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and it is a wonderful day to take over the world.]

[That's what Tesla is aiming to do in several years, sadly enough. There's no idea what the day it all comes to fruition will be like. But hey, it's not like his plan was going to happen in a matter of minutes. These things took time. Anyways, he's ready to look over the results of the tests for today back in his office, and he pushes open the door-]

[And steps into the lobby of the castle.]

What...?

[It all comes flooding back. The losses, the world changes, the things he had been a part of, the people...it takes a moment for him to adjust to it all, like he's waking up from a very long dream he wasn't conscious of.]

[And of course, there was the journal, his journal, lying innocently on a table nearby. He picks it up, spending some time flipping through the pages. Okay, it's fine. He knows this place, it's like he's just come back to another home, that's all.]

Well, well, well. Magical bloodthirsty creatures who appear from time to time who kill or maim people? Check. Weird residents who come from worlds I don't think I want to know about? Check. Somebody new asking about what this place is? Check. People whining about anything ever because they're too immature and/or stupid to deal with it? Give that one a million checks.

Looks like this place hasn't changed at all! Good for you, castle, you sure know how to change things up.

[He lets out a laugh.]

For all of you precious little newbies out there, the name is Nikola Tesla.  Yes, the Nikola Tesla. Don't waste my time if you only have stupid things to say. All the people who know me, you already know that, but it bears reminding.

Good to be back, Paradisa.

[Now don't mind him, he's just going to be searching out the people he does like around here, feel free to bump into him while he's doing so.]

Comments

[hasmommyissues]

Such a grand entrance....I'm almost tempted to curtsy.

[vampirize]

I wouldn't be opposed to that, though it would depend on how good the curtsy is.

[Is he joking? WHO CAN TELL.]

[hasmommyissues]

I admit I might be a little out of practise.

But do bare in mind I do not give them out to just anybody...that is how reputations start.

[vampirize]

Oh, I have a reputation. I've been here longer than most of you, so trust me, if there's an expert on Paradisa and the things it gets up to, you're talking to him.

[hasmommyissues]

Oh Mr Testla...I do love the fact we can be so candid with each other.

And I was begining to think everybody here was such a fuddy duddy.

[mal_addict]

[Maladict has become used to the journal only bearing bad news lately. It's made her uneasy. She's used to being the one to pick up sticks and leave first. Actually being left by other people is an experience she's not been enjoying.

But that...well that is a familiar voice. And when he starts talking at first she feels her heart sink, along with a desperate need to run. She knew the castle might bring him back eventually, but she hadn't prepared herself for dealing with a Nikola who didn't know who she was.

...But he continues with his stupid, annoying cocky chatter and it dawns on her that he remembers. They've never come back this way before, and it's thrown her for a loop. She stares at the open journal for a long time, not being able to find words to speak out loud while her head tries to deal with this sudden surge of emotions ranging from utter joy to sheer bloody minded anger.

So she doesn't reply right away. Just remains sitting in what was (or perhaps now, is) there room, staring at the journal as if it's dropped a sudden unexpected bomb into her lap. Which in some cases it really has]

[vampirize]

[Of course she's going to be the first one he tries to find out. God, he hopes she's still here, that the castle hasn't played one of its cosmic jokes and brought him here only to be alone...]

[He doesn't even need to think of where to go. His feet almost seem to have a mind of their own- he finds himself out the door, and he takes a deep breath, hoping that her name is still on there.]

[It is. And her name is there. It makes him so happy that it's staring him right in the face, and that even his name is back right where it belongs. A few seconds to steel himself, and he raises his hand to knock on the door, heart thumping like crazy in his chest.]

Mal? Are you in there?

Guess who.

[mal_addict]

[It takes her a moment to reply. Maybe the stress of the past few months, of everyone leaving, of Brock being killed, has worn her down. Maybe she's hallucinating again.

She knows she has to answer it eventually, though, and steeling herself against...herself, she opens the door. And there he is, standing there all cocky and smirky as he's always been, as if he never left.

If course, he HAD left, and she'd mourned him. And now he just comes waltzing back after she thought she'd managed to get through a day without feeling like a big chunk of her had gone missing. Gods damn this castle.

There's a touch of anger in her eyes, quite a lot of joy, but for now, she attempts to play this with a straight face]

Well. It's not Thomas Edison.

[vampirize]

[He pretends to look offended by that, but he can't hide the happy glint in his eyes - it's HER. It's really her. He doesn't even know how long it's been since he left, but that doesn't matter now, right? He's here and it seems like she hasn't forgotten him. I mean, who else would tell her about his nemesis back in the day.]

You would even compare me with that stick in the mud? Sheesh, like I ever wanted to hear that name again...

[He grins.] Mal...long time, no see, huh?

[i_got_this]

[South is clunking down the stairs in full armor, preparing to pop her helmet over her head. She's off to do some actual training, halfassed as it may be, but she stops in her tracks seeing a stranger in the lobby.]

Oh, yeah. Uh ... welcome to the castle, kitchen's on the first floor, blah blah blah ... they should really make an info-plaque or some shit. I'm tired of explaining this stuff.

[vampirize]

[He looks at her with the most blank of looks.]

You really think I'm new? Please. I was here when magical kissing during Christmas and babies that came from nowhere were still a thing.

[i_got_this]

Newsflash, they're still a thing. Where the fuck have you been?

[vampirize]

Hey, you never know.

Home. I just came back. Where do you think I was, lost in the Insolitus?

[bluebot]

Do you have a list of criteria on hand to rule out the stupid things, or do you just know them when you hear them?

[vampirize]

Oh, I just know. Besides, even smart things can be counted as stupid things if they're said in such a way that makes them sound idiotic.

[bluebot]

I guess you'll let me know if I verge on idiotic. This may be pushing my luck, but...

Where did you go?

[vampirize]

Back home, of course. Right smack dab in the scene I had left when I came here. And then not more than five seconds had passed before I opened the doors and found myself right back here, as if time hadn't passed for me at all.

Somewhere, Einstein is having a fit.

Dictated

[whistles_the_blues]

[Huh. So this is one of his dad's heroes, eh? Blues can't say he's impressed. Then again, he's not exactly a huge fan of his dad either.]

Huh. Not quite the attitude I thought you'd have, then again, I can't say I really had any expectations to begin with.

[vampirize]

[He only laughs at that.]

That's real life for you. Besides, you try to be all goody two-shoes and nice when the whole world leaves you hanging. Trust me, it's harder than it sounds.

[whistles_the_blues]

[Now it's his turn to laugh. He feels like he's talking to himself now.]

Been there, done that.

[vampirize]

Good. Then we understand each other.

What other judgements do you have about me that you'd like for me to dispell?

[teenagebadboy]

You have been here before? Thought that when the castle is done with you, you could go back home.

[vampirize]

Yeah, that's what I thought to, but surprise, surprise! Here I am.

[teenagebadboy]

That really doesn't sound good at all. I wouldn't want to be in your shoes.

[vampirize]

You're speaking to the choir here, kid. But then again, this place isn't all that bad when you look at it.